Adding distance to a spherical projectile by use of backspin

In summary: Blocking the lower section adjacent to the lower half of the valve, will increase the pressure on the upper half of the ball and will generate more backspin.
  • #1
Agnostic
110
0
In the following setup, there is a pressureised chamber that has a valve which opens up and leads to a barrel housing a spherical projectile. When valve is opened, the ball will go through the barrel.

I am trying to determine the best location for "port holes" that will give the ball backspin.

Im thinking that as the ball moves forward, a high pressure area will be a higher pressure at top and lower pressure at bottom. When the air moves, it will cause friction that will give the ball backspin... I think...
 

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  • #2
Should I post this in another forum section?
 
  • #3
Don't know about your holes, but what if you roughen the top of the pipe (it's slick everywhere else) so the ball rolls a little?
 
  • #4
marcusl said:
Don't know about your holes, but what if you roughen the top of the pipe (it's slick everywhere else) so the ball rolls a little?

The entire wall must be slick.
 
  • #5
Adding too many holes in the barrel will significantly reduce the pressure driving the projectile, and therefore reduce its exit velocity.

Perhaps slightly curving the barrel so that the ball rolls along the top of the barrel before exiting? Nothing too significant, just a few degrees...
 
  • #6
Mech_Engineer said:
Adding too many holes in the barrel will significantly reduce the pressure driving the projectile, and therefore reduce its exit velocity.

Perhaps slightly curving the barrel so that the ball rolls along the top of the barrel before exiting? Nothing too significant, just a few degrees...

another constraint is that the barrel can not be curved :(.

The holes would decrease the pressure, but i believe that although exit velocity would be less, perhaps the backspin generated would compensate.
 
  • #7
try to fix the lower end of the valve instead of creating holes...
as only the upper half of the valve opens, the pressure will force the top half of the ball with higher pressure( as the valve outlet is reduced). Top spin will automatically be generated as the force is on the upper half of the ball.
If you cannot fix the lower half of the valve, atleast try to block the lower section adjacent to the lower half of the valve, this will give the came result.
 

1. How does backspin affect the distance of a spherical projectile?

Backspin creates a lifting force on the projectile, causing it to travel further than a non-spinning projectile. This is due to the Magnus effect, where the spin creates a pressure difference between the top and bottom of the projectile, resulting in a net upward force.

2. What is the ideal backspin rate for maximum distance?

The ideal backspin rate varies depending on the initial velocity and angle of the projectile. Generally, a backspin rate of 2000-3000 rotations per minute (RPM) is considered optimal for maximum distance.

3. Can backspin be used on any spherical projectile?

Yes, backspin can be used on any spherical projectile, such as a baseball, golf ball, or tennis ball. However, the effectiveness of backspin may vary depending on the size, weight, and surface of the projectile.

4. How does air resistance affect the effectiveness of backspin?

Air resistance can reduce the distance gained from backspin by slowing down the projectile. This is why backspin is more effective at lower speeds, such as in golf or baseball, where the air resistance is lower compared to faster projectiles, like in tennis.

5. Are there any disadvantages to using backspin on a spherical projectile?

One potential disadvantage of using backspin is that it can decrease the accuracy of the projectile. The Magnus effect can cause the projectile to deviate from its intended path, making it more difficult to control. Additionally, backspin may not always be the optimal strategy for a given situation, as other factors such as wind and surface conditions may also play a role in determining the best trajectory for the projectile.

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